Montreal Massacre

The Montréal Massacre of December 6, 1989, in which 14 women students at the École Polytechnique were systematically killed and 13 other students wounded by a lone gunman, is indelibly imprinted on the minds of Quebeckers and others who struggled to comprehend the worst single-day massacre in Canadian history.

Since the beginning of Québec's "Quiet Revolution" in the 1960s, women had been making increasing strides in non-traditional occupations and educational programs. In the 1970s and 1980s, growing numbers flocked to the École Polytechnique, the School of Engineering at the University of Montréal. While most men in Québec and elsewhere accepted and even welcomed these transformations, a minority felt themselves disadvantaged by attempts to encourage women's new roles and opportunities.



One of these was Marc Lépine, a 25-year-old Quebecker and child-abuse survivor who, as an adult, was described by acquaintances as a moody loner. Lépine had sought to join the Canadian Armed Forces, but was rejected. He had also studied for admission to the École Polytechnique, but was not accepted -- a decision he apparently blamed on "affirmative action" policies promoted by feminists and their sympathizers. In the suicide note he would leave on his body, Lépine provided some insights into the virulent mindset that fuelled his rage against women and feminists:



Please note that if I am committing suicide today ... it is not for economic reasons ... but for political reasons. For I have decided to send Ad Patres [Latin: "to the fathers"] the feminists who have ruined my life. ... The feminists always have a talent for enraging me. They want to retain the advantages of being women ... while trying to grab those of men. ... They are so opportunistic that they neglect to profit from the knowledge accumulated by men throughout the ages. They always try to misrepresent them every time they can.





Attached to the letter was a list of 19 prominent Québec women in non-traditional occupations, including the province's first woman firefighter and police captain. Beneath the list Lépine wrote: "[These women] nearly died today. The lack of time (because I started too late) has allowed these radical feminists to survive." It was, instead, dozens of ordinary women at the École Polytechnique who would bear the brunt of his fury.



Your Assignment:



Step #1: Visit the CBC Radio and Television Archives for 15 - 20 minutes. Browse, take jot notes to complete this statement -

"I was surprised to discover..."



Step #2: Prepare to write a new blog post. Your post should include:



Paragraph #1 - describe the Montreal Massacre (who, what, when,

why)



Paragraph #2 - incorporate what you were "suprised to

discover..."



Paragraph #3 - Answer these questions within the last paragraph:

Q1: What are the effects of the massacre?

Q2: What steps need to be taken to address the

issue of violence against women?

- I want to hear your thoughts, opinions, comments

here



** Please include several visual images to add visual stimulation for your blog readers. **

Giving is the best communication

Let's watch this 3 minute video spot created by the Thai communications conglomerate True. It is titled "Giving" and it shares the story of a man unexpectedly rewarded for a lifetime of good deeds he performed without expecting anything in return.

This movie believes in the power of giving without expecting anything in return.



When was the last time that you did something for someone, whether they were in need or not, without expecting anything in return? What was it that you did, and how did that act make you feel?

Let's share, please be very detailed in your recount.

Mrs. Dowker

See the Awesome!

This kid is amazing! Take a peek, and hopefully this little video will get you thinking...



Love what this kid has to say? I sure do! Here is a pep talk from the Kid President to you!



How can you not smile?! I challenge you to "see the awesome" in someone today!

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day (in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom) is a day to remember people who fought and died in wars. It is on November 11th to remember the end of World War I on that day in 1918. Remembrance Day was started in 1919 by King George V from the United Kingdom. On the same day, other countries also have days to remember war and soldiers. There is Veteran's Day in the United States, and Armistice Day in France, Belgium, New Zealand and other countries.

Remembrance Day Video - Canada At War

There are some things that people do on Remembrance Day. One is having two minutes of silence at 11:00 AM. It is at 11:00 AM because that is when World War I ended. At a ceremony for Remembrance Day, before the two minutes of silence, a song called "The Last Post" is played on a bugle (or sometimes a trumpet). At the end of the silence, the bugle plays a song called "Reveille."

Here is a version of "The Last Post".



People often bring wreaths made of poppies to Remembrance Day ceremonies. The wreaths honor people who have died in wars.

In many countries, many people wear a fake poppy on Remembrance Day, and for a few days before. The poppy is a symbol to show that they remember the wars, and the soldiers who fought in them. Poppies were chosen to be a symbol because they often grew in battlefields, after the soldiers stopped fighting there.

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

From Africa to North America: Refugee Young People's Thoughts on Education

We are very lucky to live in a country that provides free education for all of it's citizens. There are many children throughout the world who want to go to school, but are unable to for a variety of reasons.

Many children in Africa have to walk a long distance to get to school each morning. They do not have sidewalks, access to bicycles, and buses like we have access to.

Once the children arrive at school, you will notice that physically, it looks quite different than what you are used to. Think of all of the resources that you have access to each day at your school? Are you making the most of the opportunities that are in front of you?

Here is a video about several kids who used to live in Africa, and their views on how education is different here in North America compared to Africa.



Why is education important to you? What are your goals and how do you plan to achieve them? Where do you see yourself once you have graduated high school?

Please compose a post on your blog, answering the questions asked above.

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Mrs. Dowker

Canoeing at Gould Lake

We had an amazing day at Gould Lake! We woke to a bright, sunny, warm fall day. We were all packed up and ready to go!

When we arrived, we met Jade and Rachel who explained all of the parts of the canoe to us, and went over some basic safety. I was impressed with how much "canoe" knowledge our class already had!

We didn't waste any time, we headed to the beach "lunch boxing" our canoes, and hit the water!

Everyone worked well to make their way out to our first check point, the dock. We practiced how to draw and pull to make our canoe turn different ways. We also learned how to "raft up" when we were are in the open water.

I can't even begin to describe how beautiful it was out there on the water. It really was the "perfect" fall day. We saw many cool things along the shoreline as we moved along the glass-like lake water. We continued down the lake for a while, stopping to play a little game in a nearby bay. On the way back we crossed the lake, and had a chance to check out the other shoreline.

After our canoe trek we had some free time to enjoy our lunch, catch frogs and explore the property at Gould Lake. Before we left, we had-a-go at the old rope swing.

Our fearless leaders, Jade & Rachel - thanks girls, you rock!

I'm not going to name names, but let's just say that it was a VERY quiet bus ride back to First Avenue.

Here is a funny video of two of the grade 8's attempting to switch positions in their canoe. I thought for sure that someone was going to get wet!

Here is a quick video of some rope-swinging-fun!

Terry Fox Run

Last Thursday, September 26th our school participated in the Terry Fox Run. Our students donated "toonies for Terry" to raise money for cancer research. It was a bright and sunny day as we headed over to the Memorial Centre. After gathering as a school, we were off! Several of our grade 8's volunteered as "hole punchers". As the students ran each lap, they passed by our "punchers" and received a hole in their paper running shoe, they were very excited. It was great to see so many of our students participating in the run to support a great cause. Another year, another great Terry Fox Run!

Our Trip to the Corn Maze on Wolfe Island

We had a great day! On Friday, September 20th the grade 7/8 & 6/7 classes visited the corn maze on Wolfe Island. We boarded the ferry and set off for our adventure. The students had fun roaming around the top and bottom deck, reenacting the scene from Titanic, and getting splashed from the giant waves moving along the side of the ferry.

When we arrived at the Corn Maze, Garth greeted us and we did what any group of kids wants to do after a bus ride...we ate! Garth hooked the teachers up with walkie talkies and took Mrs. Leggett and I out into the middle of the maze to help you guys stay on track. I'll be honest, I was a little worried that I might have trouble finding my way out, that corn was pretty high! Group by group, you were released into the maze. Some of you had listened to Garth, and read the clues by the duck decoys, others just ran blindly though the maze. In the end you all made it out!

After we conquered the maze, we got to visit with some farm animals - I think that you might have named the male bunny "Mitch". Then we jumped into some "friendly" games. There was corn toss into certain targets. The girls narrowly lost to the boys, next time boys, next time. Next the kids were separated by grade and they participated in the longest corn toss competition. Terrance (our student from St. Lawrence had an unbelievable toss). It was pretty amazing to see how far some of you could toss a piece of corn. And the best part, I only had to duck out of the way from two stray pieces of corn that came my way.

We grabbed a little lunch, learned a little about the history of corn and then boarded the bus for home. As we waited for the ferry, we had a little time to wander down to the Wolfe Island Bakery and Corner Store for something sweet.

We had a great day, and it was the perfect way to spend a Friday! What was your favourite part of our day?

Mrs. Dowker

50 Ways to Tell a Story

Back when I was in school, it was very tricky to create a multimedia presentation. The equipment was expensive and hard to have access to, not many people knew what to do with it, and it took a lot of time to create. The most exciting tool that I had access to was powerpoint...and people bombarded each other with bullets on their slides.

Today we have hundreds of web 2.0 tools at our fingertips to tell "our story". When I say "story", I mean it in a general sense of the word. Not in the traditional sense like the story of the 3 Little Pigs. A "story" is basically anything that you want to share with the world, what information to you want to pass on? And how much cooler is it to share your story through using a variety of multimedia tools (images + text + audio). I'll answer that - very!

Here is a storyteller who took a simple story about his beloved dog Dominoe, and told it 50+ ways, using a different web 2.0 tool each time. Check out the link here. Is there a web 2.0 tool that stood out for you? Which one are you excited to try?

So let's put this new knowledge to use. First we need a story. Your "story" is going to be all that you have learned in geography so far (grade 7's it is the 5 themes and for you 8's it's all about human geography). What I want you to do it take some time to check out your choices of tools for creating "your story". I want you to choose between animoto or one true media. Once you have made a choice, take what you know and create an interesting way to share your knowledge with the world.

Happy "story" creating!! I'm excited to see what you come up with.

Mrs. Dowker

Friday the 13th...what does it mean to you?

It's Friday the 13th

I personally consider the 13th to be lucky. In my family, the number 13 is associated with good luck, my mother was born on the 13th, I was born on the 13th, my parents were married on the 13th, my first son was due to be born on the 13th.

What does the number 13 mean to you? Do you know what many people's superstitions are based upon? Where did the fear of Friday the 13th come from?

Read on...

Friday the 13th Christian Origins

The fear of Friday the 13th stems from two separate fears -- the fear of the number 13 and the fear of Fridays. Both fears have deep roots in Western culture, most notably in Christian theology.

Thirteen is significant to Christians because it is the number of people who were present at the Last Supper (Jesus and his 12 apostles). Judas, the apostle w­ho betrayed Jesus, was the 13th member of the party to arrive. Christians have traditionally been wary of Fridays because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

Additionally, some theologians hold that Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit on a Friday, and that the Great Flood began on a Friday. In the past, many Christians would never begin any new project or trip on a Friday, fearing they would be doomed from the start.


Sailors were particularly superstitious in this regard, often refusing to ship out on a Friday. According to unverified legend (very likely untrue), the British Navy commissioned a ship in the 1800s called H.M.S. Friday, in order to quell the superstition. The navy selected the crew on a Friday, launched the ship on a Friday and even selected a man named James Friday as the ship's captain. Then, one Friday morning, the ship set off on its maiden voyage... and disappeared forever. A similar, entirely factual story is the harrowing flight of Apollo 13.

Other Friday the 13th Traditions

The Christian perspective on F­riday and 13 is the most relevant today, but it's only one part of the Friday the 13th tradition.

Some trace the infamy of the number 13 back to ancient Norse culture. In Norse mythology, the beloved hero Balder was killed at a banquet by the mischievous god Loki, who crashed the party of twelve, bringing the group to 13. This story, as well as the story of the Last Supper, led to one of the most entrenched 13-related beliefs: You should never sit down to a meal in a group of 13.

Another significant piece of the legend is a particularly bad Friday the 13th that occurred in the middle ages. On a Friday the 13th in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil.

Both Friday and the number 13 were once closely associated with capital punishment. In British tradition, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose.

Ultimately, the complex folklore of Friday the 13th doesn't have much to do with people's fears today. The fear has much more to do with personal experience. People learn at a young age that Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky, for whatever reason, and then they look for evidence that the legend is true. The evidence isn't hard to come by, of course. If you get in a car wreck on one Friday the 13th, lose your wallet, or even spill your coffee, that day will probably stay with you. But if you think about it, bad things, big and small, happen all the time. If you're looking for bad luck on Friday the 13th, you'll probably find it.

So what do you think?

You may not take drastic safety precautions every Friday the 13th, but are you totally immune to the superstition? Given the choice, would you get married, start a new job or close on a house on Friday the 13th? Most people wouldn't, even though they don't put much stock in the idea. Superstition has a way of creeping up on people when they're in a particularly vulnerable state.

Write a letter to yourself in the future

Do you ever wonder where you are going to be in one year? What will you have accomplished? Who will have been there for you? What will you be most proud of? What will you wish that you have done?

I want you to think about the next year of school, what you hope it involved for you. Your assignment is to write a letter to yourself that you will have delivered next June, 2014.

Think carefully, write with your heart and express yourself. No one will read this letter but you (unless you would like to share).

Ready, set, write!

We Survived!! (All of us...including me)

Alright, so we survived the first week of school, and it wasn't too bad...right?? Are you all ready for another week?

I thought that it was going to be a lot harder getting back into the school routine. I don't know about you, but I am not a morning person, and the thought of setting my alarm for 6:00am was a little frightening! But it wasn't as bad as I had envisioned it. I have found that one of my keys to success is having everything that I need for the next morning prepared the night before. Sometimes I don't feel like prepping lunches, packing my bag, and picking out my clothes the night before - but I ALWAYS am glad that I did in the morning.

I found this funny video on Youtube of a student's perspective on surviving the first week of school, have a look.



I was pretty excited about the first week. I have so many ideas of things that I want to teach you, and it's all just whirling around in my head! I will try to be the teacher that you need, but I'll need you to let me know when you need help.

Aren't you glad that this isn't how our first period together went?!



Here are the top 10 teachers in the movies.



Here is something for you to think about...

First Day of School

You've had a great summer vacation, but it is September 3rd, and it is time to return to school. You are wearing your new shoes, maybe have a new shirt, or backpack. Your school supplies are shiny and new and you're anxious for the bell to ring!


Remember how you felt when it all started?


Well, it's ok to be nervous and excited at the same time. What is great is that you've made it, you are in 8th grade (ok, 4 of you are still in 7th grade, but you can pretend for this exercise). We are leaders in our school, and the younger students look up to us and watch our every move.

Soooooooo......today we are going to make a difference. Take a peek at this video to see what we will be up to later...



Your assignment is to think of something nice that you can write down on a sticky note for one teacher and one other student in the school. Then, we are going to very quietly deliver those "notes of kindness" using our ninja, spy like moves.

Ok, ready, set, brighten up someone's day!!!

Warmly,
Your teacher, Mrs. Dowker

P.S. Remember to report back here and post who you picked to brighten their day and why:)